Needles and pins are available in a variety of sizes and styles for different uses. Look for rustproof needles and pins made of brass, nickel-plated steel or stainless steel. Pins with colored ball heads rather than flat heads are easier to see in fabric and less likely to get lost.
Sharps are all-purpose needles for general sewing. Crewels are generally used for embroidery. Ballpoint needles are used on knits with their rounded ends. Betweens, short and round-eyed, help make fine stitches in heavy fabric or quilting. Milliner's needles are long with round eyes. Silk pins, available with glass or plastic heads, are for light to medium-weight fabrics. Straight pins in brass, steel or stainless steel are for general sewing. Pleating pins are for pinning delicate fabrics in the seam allowance. Quilting pins are for heavy materials. Ballpoint pins are for knits.
Thimble protects your middle finger while hand sewing. Pincushion provides a safe place to store pins. Needle threader eases threading of hand or machine needles. Beeswax with holder strengthens thread and prevents tangling for hand sewing.
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